Public Statements

Statement

"This is classic bait and switch Republican rhetoric. The reality is we can't drill our way out of this problem. Before opening up new offshore drilling, we need to Produce, Punish and Promote. Produce drilling on the 68 million acres currently under lease to the oil companies today (35 million acres which are offshore). Punish those who are gouging, hoarding and speculating on oil commodities, which is increasing the price of oil per barrel by $60 to $70 per barrel. Promote alternative and renewable energy sources. We can no longer afford to be hooked on just one commodity. We have to look for other ways to power this nation, or we are going to have to learn this lesson over and over and over again. Once we have taken these steps, we can then move to the next part of the conversation, " said Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).